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3217
Maximinus I ‘Thrax’. Silver Denarius (3.3 g), AD 235-238.
Rome,
AD 235/6. IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate, draped and
cuirassed bust of Maximinus I right.
Reverse:
S-ALVS AVGVSTI,
Salus seated left, feeding from patera serpent coiled around altar,
resting elbow on side of throne. RIC 14; BMC 21-2; RSC 85. Needle
sharp with a deep reddish tone.
Superb Extremely Fine.
This denarius utilizes an early, idealized portrait of Maximinus
that resembles Severus Alexander. His later coin portraits are
more true-to-life, showing his large chin and and other heavy
facial features. According to the ancient author and contem-
porary, Herodian, Maximinus was “of such frightening appear-
ance and colossal size that there is no obvious comparison to
be drawn with any of the best-trained Greek athletes or warrior
elite of the barbarians” (Herodian vii.1.2). This has lead some
modern researchers to suspect that Maximinus suffered from
some form of growth disorder, such as gigantism or acromegaly.
Estimated Value............................................................... $250 - 300
3218
Maximinus I ‘Thrax’. Silver Denarius
(3.0 g), AD 235-238.
Rome, AD 235/6.
IMP MAXIMINVS PIVS AVG, laureate,
draped and cuirassed bust of Maximinus
I right.
Reverse:
VICTO-R-I-A AVG, Vic-
tory advancing right, holding wreath and
palm. RIC 16; BMC 25-6; RSC 99. Boldly
struck on both sides and perfectly cen-
tered, attractively toned.
Nearly Mint State.
Estimated Value............................ $250 - 300
